Gently sauntering across grassy plains and threading her way through skeletons of archaic Ebonys, the elephant cow came closer to our stationary position. She seemed intrigued by our presence and her curiosity was evident. In a round about manner the cow drew closer still and then stopped just shy of the vehicle.
I drew my breath in and watched for a change in her body language, a change in her signals and a change in her demeanor…I waited for her to tell me to back off, but there was none. Only a blinking eye rising and falling with the methodical rhythm of her breathing. She was a meter away and she was big. Beautifully big and so completely serene. I could see the texture of her skin, the engraved lines each with their own tale. I could hear the air resonating out in sighs of weary defense. I could feel her presence drawing closer to me, to the person deep down inside.
She turned her head sideways and lifted up a massive trunk to smell me. Could she sense the same thoughts, feelings and intuitions as I? Could she feel the frequencies of my soul and if so what stories were they telling her?
The eye blinked again and from behind long eyelashes she peered at me as I did here. We connected and held each others gentle gaze as the breeze stroked the strands of grass and the weaved through this divine moment. Surely this animal knew something I didn’t. Something wise, spiritual and powerful. Something important that was given away by the soft sadness in her eyes. Something that could not be articulated in just a single moment.
The sudden pessimism cut the connection short and we both dropped our gaze, awkwardly looking away. She was gone seconds later, to find another moment with another creature, whilst I sat and watched the breeze continue to carelessly run through the plains with its soft caress. The silence left me uncomfortable…if this animal could see our thoughts, emotions and felt the frequency of our souls, what would she tell us and if she did…would we like what she said?
Written, filmed and photographed by: Rich Laburn
Absolutely amazing! Almost looks like she’s talking by the movement of her trunk. Feels like I was there on the vehicle as I watch this. Thanks Rich!
It was incredible to watch Talita, she was an incredibly relaxed elephant who could not contain her curiosity. It is interesting to note how this elephant behaved in contrast to elephants elsewhere in Africa where they would not be comfortable coming so close to the vehicle.